COVID 19 and the 2021 Chase Season

[acibarich]

2020 was meant to be my first real year of chasing after getting out of Air Force wx, but I decided to lockdown. It doesn’t sound like I missed much anyway.

I plan to make the trip out this year, since I’ve converted my rig into a part-time camper. I still plan on taking all precautions.

 

[Matthew Wann]

My biggest hesitation is just bathrooms. Even here in Georgia which has been somewhat more open than other areas, bathrooms in private establishments (mainly gas stations) are still hit or miss. Rest areas on interstates are open, but very little of my chase territory here gets near them.

 

[James Hammett]

If community spread was as bad during 2020 chase season as it is right now I wouldn't have risked contributing to the problem. Even when I'm not particularly concerned about my own exposure I risk contributing to spread that can endanger others. Lodging and gas stations on the plains were often a mask-free parallel universe particularly where the pandemic hadn't yet hit hard (but later did).

Now with the vaccine hopefully most will be able and willing to get it by the time chase season rolls around. And for me on the high plains that doesn't usually start until the last blizzard in mid-May

 

[Warren Faidley]

Just a heads up, there is a surplus of vaccine in some areas. I got my second dose on Friday and spoke with the volunteer coordinator. The 1a group is done in a growing number of areas so they are moving forward with 1b+. I've seen some locations offer vaccinations to anyone who desires it so the vaccine does not expire. If you are seeking a vaccine before chase season, you might want to keep a lookout for this option. I would suggest trying to do this sooner than later if you have the option -- as distribution, eligibility, availability, etc., could change at any time.

FYI: I reacted well to the two-dose, Pfizer vaccine. Maybe a little tired for 24-48 hours, more so after the second dose. My arm ached a fair amount after the second dose for about 12 hours, but nothing serious.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

I was able to get my first dose Saturday, so as long as I get the second dose in 4 weeks (Moderna), Covid should have a smaller and smaller impact on my decision to chase. Main issue is my wife will probably have to wait until it's released for the general public.

 

[ericjkelly]

Will do what I did last year if needed! Bring all my own food and beverages. Twin Mattress in my car. Only interaction with humans/covid is gas stations.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

I'll be chasing like normal. Im not a long run chaser, mostly limiting myself to within a reasonable drive from home. This still covers the High Plains into Nebraska, Wyoming and Kansas.

I'm outfitted to car camp if needed.

Have gloves and masks for any necessary stops.

Just hoping 2021 actually does something.

 

[Randy Jennings]

Dr. Jason Persoff (a storm chasing MD for those who don't know) will be presenting on "A COVID-19 Storm" at the free virtual National Storm Chaser Summit tomorrow (Saturday 1/30/2021) from, 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm CST. Home | National Storm Chaser Summit

 

[Paul Lemery]

This chart may help ease some concerns. Total active Covid-19 cases in the plains (chart is for Kansas) have been dropping dramatically since its high on November 9th. One explanation is that we may have reached herd immunity way sooner than predicted. Regardless, the possibility exists that Covid-19 could be all but done in the plains by April if the total count continues to fall at its current rate.

 

[twarner]

Total active Covid-19 cases in the plains (chart is for Kansas) have been dropping dramatically since its high on November 9th. One explanation is that we may have reached herd immunity way sooner than predicted.

Kansas does not have the numbers needed for herd immunity. Covid is alive and well in Kansas. The drop that we are seeing is due to companies going virtual where ever possible. Masking being adopted and reemphasized. Schools in Wichita and surrounding areas all went virtual (or remained virtual) starting back in November.

Kansas still does not adequately test. They also seem to be lagging on the vaccine rollout. Things are starting to open back up with schools moving to hybrid model so it will be interesting to see if the numbers start climbing or not. The other wild cards is the different COVID variants emerging and how quickly the vaccines can be adminstered.

 

[Jeff Duda]

Staff note
Keep this thread on task...we will lock it if posts start deviating from the topic. You must relate COVID-19 to storm chasing in your posts.

Now carry on.

 

[Dave C]

Will do what I did last year if needed! Bring all my own food and beverages. Twin Mattress in my car. Only interaction with humans/covid is gas stations.

Same approach. I will be self contained with chemical toilet, food and water, car fridge/freezer unit, sleeping pad, masks and gloves for high touch surfaces like gas pumps (even though the risk in surfaces that see sunlight goes way down). I doubt I will even go into gas stations unless I really need to or if they are very slow. Restaurants will be a hard no. Grocery only if truly required. Always masked indoors.

I will be willing to stay in hotels with precautions of a wipedown of glossy surfaces and adequate non-central ventilation in the room. Will prefer ones without a lobby, or just at check-in there once and use the side door and stairs vs. elevator. The less I can be in others airspace, the happier I will be.

Any people contact anywhere indoors or within less than 8 feet of people not traveling with me will be with me wearing N95 masks, which are now gradually becoming available for consumers again if you know where to find the genuine ones.

If I chase with anyone, they must be practicing safe isolation habits and masking in their life and be symptom free when we leave for a chase. I won't require mask use in the car, but around anyone outside our bubble I will, to protect others and their communities.

Also if I experience any symptoms of anything I will isolate in my vehicle and immediately return home rather than dare expose any rural areas.

 

[Dave C]

My biggest hesitation is just bathrooms. Even here in Georgia which has been somewhat more open than other areas, bathrooms in private establishments (mainly gas stations) are still hit or miss. Rest areas on interstates are open, but very little of my chase territory here gets near them.

I bought a foldup toilet seat and waste bags, with kitty litter. Total cost ~55 dollars US. Sets up fine inside my SUV behind the passenger seat for a quick temporary relief. I put sunshades up on the main windows (I also have dark tint), setup the toilet seat, place the bag, do the business, add kitty litter, seal the bag and place it in the odor liner outer bag, and then later deposit the bags in the trash (completely legal). No odors or issues with the system. No worries about having to stop and find an open bathroom, and also feels safer to me than using high touch surfaces at a busy truck stop or gas station, and alleviates my worry of giving someone anything if I was an asymptomatic carrier. The only place I stopped near any people last year was gas pumps, and was totally self contained. Even at gas pumps I wear a mask and one glove and touch nothing.

 

[Randy Jennings]

If you missed Dr. Jason Persoff's fantastic presentation at the National Storm Chaser Summit you can view it here at about the 4:14 mark:

National Storm Chaser Summit - 2021 Virtual Summit LIVE | Facebook

Here is a key slide he presented:

 

[Ben Holcomb]

No changes for me this year. The extremely cheap motel and gas prices made last year great. If only we had any weather to go with it.

Cautiously optimistic on prospects this season. Unless they can somehow stop interstate travel, I plan to be everywhere from Mexico to Canada this year. Unfortunately oil and gas prices are rising and should continue that trend. I drove from Norman to Atlanta on $50 back in November. Don't expect we'll see prices that low this spring.